Just a short hop from the M1 to London and within striking distance of Cambridge, Oxford and Birmingham, Milton Keynes’ central location makes it a popular place to settle. The town is growing fast, so developers are busy increasing the stock of new build homes to keep pace with demand. Today we will reveal its top 5 developments and explore the many reasons why people are continuing to flock to the largest town in Buckinghamshire.
Is Milton Keynes a good place to live?
Milton Keynes is a good place to live if you work in the neighbouring cities but don’t want to pay the higher prices. There are plenty of affordable options as the town continues to expand fast. This means you can buy a good-size new home here and still commute to London or Birmingham within 60 minutes via the M1. If you’d rather use public transport, Milton Keynes’ six train stations make travelling around the region a breeze. You can even be in London in around half an hour.
The town has some other great benefits too, from a scattering of beautiful parks, lakes and golf clubs to safe cycle routes. Sporting enthusiasts and active families will enjoy the rock climbing gyms, the local ice skating rinks and fitness centres, Acqua Parks, and Gulliver’s Land Theme Park. Home to the MK Dons football club, Stadium MK can seat 30,530 and hosts many events at its multi-purpose indoor arena.
There are also plenty of shopping opportunities, including IKEA and Centre:MK, which has thousands of brands under one roof. Whatever you choose to do, the town’s grid-like road network makes it easy to get around. And if you wish to explore the wider countryside, you can find nature reserves and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within a half-hour’s drive.
New build homes in Buckinghamshire: 10 best developments
New build homes in Bedfordshire: 5 best developments
Is it expensive to buy or rent homes in Milton Keynes?
If you’re wondering whether it’s expensive to buy or rent in Milton Keynes, the answer is nuanced. Compared to London, house prices are lower here. However, at £319,582, the town’s properties are slightly more costly than the UK average (Rightmove: April 2022). Over the last year, semi-detached homes made up most of the market, selling for a more affordable £298,439. At £261,006, terraced properties came in cheaper, while a detached house would set you back £481,215.
Rental prices are lower than in London, but 16% higher than Birmingham’s. According to a recent data analysis, rentals in Milton Keynes cost around £1,250 PCM. Looking at the median average, you can expect to pay about £950 PCM for a one-bed property.
What is Milton Keynes famous for?
Milton Keynes can claim several distinctions. We have already mentioned its American-inspired grid layout, knitted together by roundabouts. All the main routes are labelled with an H or V to indicate the direction in which they run. The Open University is also based here, along with its brilliant library. The town’s erudite reputation is perhaps most epitomised by Bletchley Park, where the nation’s greatest minds finally cracked the Enigma Code.
Not only has the town hosted many events and programmes destined for the stage and screen, it boasts major cultural venues too. These include The National Bowl grass amphitheatre and one of the most successful performance spaces outside the West End. And despite it being a ‘New Town’, there are plenty of listed buildings and historical landmarks to admire and explore as well.
Top 5 new build homes developments in Milton Keynes
So, which new build developments in Milton Keynes get the thumbs up from our verified residents? Our reviewers rate developments based on factors such as the quality of the building’s design, how well it’s managed, the location, and more. Intrigued by any of our top picks? Just click on the relevant link to view its dedicated page.
4.64 (25 reviews)
4.64 (25 reviews)
Our top spot for the best new builds in Milton Keynes is Solstice Apartments, by Grainger. Residents here give the development top marks across the board for its facilities, location, design management and value for money. All properties benefit from on-site management, a 24-hour fitness area, residents’ lounge and a rooftop terrace. Solstice Apartments is also within easy walking distance of the dining, cultural and shopping attractions of central Milton Keynes.
4.23 (48 reviews)
4.23 (48 reviews)
At number two, Brooklands Park continues to attract favourable reviews with its well-designed 2-5-bedroom homes that make the best possible use of the generous space provided. The development benefits from good transport links, allowing commuters to reach central London in just 33 minutes. Ample parking is another welcome feature of Brooklands Park.
4.19 (43 reviews)
4.19 (43 reviews)
Number three in our list is Fairfields – a popular development by Barrett Homes and David Wilson Homes that’s located close to Milton Keynes town centre. Having easy access to the M1, A5 and the A421, this development is ideal for commuters. As well as the outstanding transport links, you can easily walk from here into the historic market town of Stony, Stratford. Fairfields offers a mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes for sale.
4.20 (11 reviews)
4.20 (11 reviews)
Shakespeare Park, by Taylor Wimpey, is located in Kingsmead, to the southwest of Milton Keynes. The development has a collection of high standard 2-bedroom apartments and 3 to 4-bedroom houses. As well as offering a range of sizes, all properties have well-thought-out designs that are bright and open. In addition, residents benefit from a variety of local amenities and nearby transport links, creating a community for young professionals and growing families.
4.06 (24 reviews)
4.06 (24 reviews)
Oakgrove Village is one of the more sizeable developments in the town, with 900 homes, as well as a Waitrose and Metrobank on site. Transport links are also convenient; Milton Keynes Central Station is just a 10-minute drive away, giving residents easy access to central London. Residents with families particularly like the green open spaces, and the fact that the development falls within one of the best school catchment areas in Milton Keynes.
Explore our area guide below to learn more about the best new build homes in Milton Keynes and all the town’s benefits.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
The post New build homes in Milton Keynes: Top 5 developments appeared first on HomeViews.